Week 31 April 25th-29th

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The Daily Pledge (per CA Ed. Code 52720)

Show your Patriotic Pride! Please stand, place your right hand over your heart, and join us in the Pledge of Allegiance:
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iMiddle Monday

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We wear our BLUE & GRAY!


Tutoring Today
  • All Science in S2, 3:00 to 4:00
  • Ms. Hull for English, 3:00 to 4:00
  • Mr. Urbino for Math, 3:00 to 4:00
  • Mr. Selby for History, 3:00 to 4:00

Announcements

6th/7th/8th Grade Focus: Yellow Ribbon Suicide Awareness and Prevention Week

This week we will be observing Yellow Ribbon Suicide Awareness and Prevention Week. Together we will be learning about how to better take care of ourselves using healthy coping skills, how to encourage those around us, and learn about extra resources in our community.



Class Discussion and Brainstorming
  1. Quick Class Go-Around: Name one thing you know how to do to take of your physical health (your body)? Do not repeat an answer already said.
  2. It is important to also know how to take care of our emotional health. When we feel stressed, angry, or sad, we will naturally chose an activity to help us deal with it. For example, after having an argument with a friend, we may choose to take a break from seeing that friend, or talk to a parent, or get some ice cream. All of these activities are ways that we “cope,”or deal with the difficult situation.
  3. What are some other activities people can do when they feel stressed? Teachers: please record student ideas on the Promethean Board.
  4. The list you just created together includes many coping skills, some are better to do than others. Review your list and circle all the ones that are healthy to do. Healthy coping skills are the ones that are good for us to do that will not end up hurting us or others (ex. Punching a pillow can be healthy, but punching your little brother is not).
  5. Student Activity: On the handout provided, list and draw three healthy coping skills/activities that you will do when you are feeling stressed. These can be things you already do, or ones you would like to try from the list. Please use the three distinct spaces on the ribbon to draw/list your healthy coping activities. When you're done, cut out the ribbon!
  6. Teachers: Please post these ribbons on your door.

Terrific Tuesday


Tutoring Today
  • Mr. Turk for Math, 3:00 to 4:00

Announcements

6th/7th/8th Grade Focus


  1. Today we are going to learn about the power of POSITIVE AFFIRMATIONS. First watch this:
  2. A positive affirmation is a positive phrase (or phrases) that you tell yourself which describes the things that you like about yourself, the things you appreciate and the person you want to become.
  3. What positive affirmations did you hear in the video? Why do you think it is important that the little girl said these things in the mirror? What kind of day do you think she had?
  4. Positive affirmations are POWERFUL because they can remind us of who we are and what we can be. They help give us focus on the good in our lives; they help us have a growth mindset! Positive affirmations are another HEALTHY COPING SKILL that helps us guard against feelings of anger or sadness
  5. Activity: Your Positive Affirmations
  6. Examples: “I believe in myself.” “I am strong.” “I am brave.” “I am improving each day.” “I am in charge of how I feel and today I am choosing happiness.”
  7. Create a list of your own positive affirmations. Here are some general rules to keep in mind: keep it short and simple. State it positively. State it in the present. And state the affirmation daily.
  8. What are three affirmations you can use EVERY morning for the next week? Write them down in your planner!
  9. Exit slip: come up with one and say it out loud - **If you’re having trouble coming up with one, ask a friend.



SAY WHAT?! WEDNESDAY

Announcements
Teachers: Please walk Soaring to Success participants (check your email) to the following rooms at the bell. Students with subs should report to the class on their own.
6th Grade: Room 12 Mr. Henry'r room
7th Grade: S3 Ms. Poland's room
8th Grade: S4 Mr. Nusser's room

Breathing exercises can be useful to do before taking a test, when you're feeling really angry or anxious.
Watch the following video to learn one breathing exercise that can help! Make sure to follow along and try it out!



Thinking Thursday

Tutoring Today
  • Mr. Peña for Spanish, lunchtime
  • Mr. Ingrande for Math, lunchtime
  • Mr. Urbino and Mr. Turk for Math, 3:00 to 4:00
  • Mr. Cronk for Math, 3:00-4:00, PrimeTime students only

Announcements
  • 8th Graders: There is a 9th Grade Orientation and Club Expo on Saturday, May 6, at 11:00AM in the Performing Arts Center. Mark your calendars and plan on attending!

6th/7th/8th Grade Focus


This week you’ve learned how to encourage yourself by using healthy coping skills and positive affirmations. Sometimes we also need others to help pick us up when we are feeling low.


Student Activity
  1. On the card provided, make a list of 5 people who you can always count on to talk to when you’re feeling stressed. Don't forget to add in trusted adults, including family members, teachers, coaches, and your school counselors.
  2. On the back of your card, write down some of those healthy coping skills you can use to help you when you are feeling stressed. Examples: reading a book, listening to music, (safely) riding your skateboard, etc.
  3. If you are feeling depressed or having thoughts of harming yourself, you can call the number provided at the bottom of this card. There are trained counselors who are available to talk with you 24 hours a day.

Keep this card with you at all times. Whenever you're feeling stressed, angry, or sad, remember that you can practice your healthy coping skills or talk it out with someone.

Show Video


Knowing who to turn to when you are stressed is important. You can also be someone that others can look to for support.
Watch the following video to learn about some of the signs you can look for and things you can say to encourage a friend who may be in need of some care.

iMiddle PSA for Yellow Ribbon Week


Video Discussion
  1. What are some of the signs that someone you know is feeling depressed or is having thoughts of hurting themselves?
  2. What are some of the phrases students used that are helpful to say to someone who is depressed?
  3. What unhelpful phrases have you heard on campus? What can you do to make our campus more supportive?


Future Focused Friday

We wear our favorite college gear!


Tutoring Today
  • The library is open today from 3:00 to 4:00 for students to work. Students with more than 5 tardies for the entire year, should also come and see Mrs. G during Friday School.
  • PAC Party TODAY: Please dismiss students with clean cards (no tardies, cell phone, lost cards, behavior or device infractions) at the beginning of advisory. STUDENTS WILL NEED THEIR CLEAR PAC CARDS TO RECEIVE TREATS. Treats will be handed out from room 9. Students will turn in their card to receive their treat. No card, no treat.

6th/7th/8th Grade Focus

Teachers: Please play yesterday's video if you were unable to do so yesterday. You will need to log into your imiddlesd google account.

Role-Play Activity
Teachers: Count off students in pairs. Please walk around during this time and check for understanding.
Students: It is important to know how to be supportive to others when they are stressed. Today we will practice having a conversation with our classmates using the strategies we’ve learned. In pairs (Student A, Student B), read the following lines together to practice having a supportive conversation. Student A feels like no one ever listens to them and they are thinking of hurting themselves. Student B will offer support using phrases we learned in yesterday's video.

Student A: I’m feeling really depressed lately.
Student B: What’s wrong?
Student A: Everything is wrong in my life. Nothing seems to work out. I think it would be better if I wasn't here anymore.
Student B: It sounds like you are having a really hard time. How can I help?
Student A: I don’t know.
Student B: Chose one of these responses:
  • (If you do not feel comfortable talking about your Partner's problems) Sometimes just talking about our problems can help. If you want, I can go with you to the Counselor Center or we could go talk to another adult?
  • (If you do feel comfortable talking more:) Sometimes just talking about our problems can help. I'm here to listen if you want to talk to me and I have a good telephone number you can call anytime if you need someone to talk to. Here is the number (share the one on your card 888-724-7240).

Now Switch roles! Repeat the conversation.


Extra Time? Check out this list of (Free - for Android & iPhone) apps that you can download to continue to practice healthy coping skills

  • Stop, Breathe & Think “Tools for Peace” originally created this app for students. This app offers a sampling of the basics of meditation. The app asks you to input how you feel emotionally and physically then suggests a specific mediation
  • Calm: using this app you could select background scenery and sounds (sunny seaside with ocean sounds), set a timer and chill out for a few minutes. Great for catching a few moments about total relaxation
  • Relax Melodies: This app gives you relaxing melodies and scenery that is paired with particular meditations
  • Smiling Mind: Tackle everyday stresses. As a result of consistent use, the hope is you can become more focused in school and develop healthy sleeping habits.
  • Sleep - Meditations for Kids: meditation stories for kids. Helps you develop better sleeping habits.